Needle guide for baler



March 10, M A MATTOS NEEDLE GUIDE FOR BALER Filed Feb. 5, 1963 INVENTOR. Manuel A. Mqfios United States Patent 3,124,060 NEEDLE GUIDE FOR BALER Manuel A. Mattos, R0. Box 144-(3, Patterson, Calif. Filed Feb. 5, 1963, Ser. No. 256,302 2 Claims. (Cl. 100-23) This invention relates to a new and improved needle guide for baler. More specifically thepresent invention is an attachment on a commonly used wire-tying mechanism used on baling machines and more particularly the so-called Burford mechanism used on hay baling .rnachines. Reference is made to Burfords British Patent No. 760,666 which discloses the construction of one form of such knotter. It will be understood that commercially the tying mechanism has been modified over that shown in the said British patent in certain respects, but that the essential features thereof areset forth.

A particular problem in connection with the operation of baling machines of this type is the fact that very considerable pressures are applied in the baling column by the plunger and that such pressures as well as other factors tend to force the needles which carry the baling wire through the baling. column out of proper position. If the needle is forced out of alignment the tyingmechanism fails to operate properly in that the wire'is not held against the gripper block by the gripping fingers. Failure of the tying attachment to operate properly causes waste and mechanical repairs necessary to-remedythe situation are time-consuming. The present invention therefore in creases the output of the balerby reducing the time required for adjustment or repair of the tying attachment and further reduces the maintenance cost of such machine.

More specifically, the present invention provides a guide which is attachedto permanent structure in the tyin-gattachment, the guide being so positioned and so shaped-that as the needle reaches the end of its stroke it engages the guide and is held in close proximity to the shaft carrying the twisting finger of the conventional, tying attachment. When'the needle is thus located relative to the twisting shaft the wire is laid in proper relationship to the gripper block and the grippingfinger then contacts and holds the wire.

A further feature of the invention is the fact that the guide may be adjustedin position so that it operates properly, such adjustment being rapidly and readily performed by reason of the use of oversize holes through whichbolts which secure the guide to the stationary portion of the mechanism attachment pass.

A further feature of the invention is its relatively low cost and the simplicity of construction.

Still another feature of the invention is the fact that the device may be attached to existing tying attachments and the attachment may be performed with relatively unskilled labor.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings in which similar characters of reference represent corresponding parts in each of the several views.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic top plan view showing the device installed on a portion of the conventional Burford tying attachment.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of a portion of the structure as viewed along line 22 of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the structure of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the guide.

As has heretofore been mentioned the present invention is an attachment or improvement upon the pre-existing Burford wire tying mechanism for hay baler or the terferes with the tying operation.

3,124,060 Patented "Mar. '10, 1 964 like and because such tying mechanisms are now commercially available and well knowninthe'baling art, 'a complete illustration and description of the operation of such attachment is believed to be unnecessary. Accordingly, reference is made'to British Patent No. 760,666 illustrating one form of such Burford tying attachment to which the invention may beappliedyit being understood that the guide may be used with other versions and modifications of the tying attachment.

A standard baling machine employs a horizontally disposed, longitudinally extending baling column 11 which is generally rectangular in cross-section and on its topand bottom surfaces is formed with longitudinally extending slots 12. In the accompanying drawing, two such slots 12are shown, but it will be understood that-the number thereof .is subject to considerable variation depending upon the size of the machine and manufacturing design. A bale formed in the column 11 is tied by means of a plurality of baling wires'13 wrapped around the top, bottom and both ends of the bale. The number of such wires 13 is usumly, equal to the number of slots 12. One

end of wires 13 isheld between a gripping-finger 14 which oscillates relative to the machine by'means hereinafter partially described and a stationary gripper block 38. The aforesaid stationary end of the wire is located in position during a previous stop in the 'baling operation namely, the conclusion of the-formation of-the tie in the preceding bale. As hay or other material is pushed into the column by the plunger'in accordance with stand- "ard practice, the wire .13 is'held at its severed end and is pulled off of a reel (not shown) as the size of the bale increases. When the size of the bale has been vcompleted a needle 17 is caused to move upwardly through the slots 12 in bottomof the column '11 and through the slots 12 in the top of the column carrying with it in a grooved end 18 or pulley a free,portion.of.the wire 13. In FIG. 2 needle 17 is shown in its upward position'with wire portion 13!) extending from thebottom of the bale and wire portion 13a running'back to-the reel. The severed end He of the previous bale is likewise shown inposition. The tying attachment Zimounted on the top of column ll'fllHClllOl'lS to-twist together ,endsl-Sa and and then sever'the wire which is fastened to the bale and yet grip'the severed end of the wire lfibfor the formation of the next bale. Thus the tying attachment performs a repetitive cycle of operations for each'bale formed. Because of the high pressure existing in column 11 the. needle 17 tends on occasion to beforced out of line. and this in- Thepresent invention is designed to prevent such needle misalignment. .To provide a frame of reference for the guide hereinafter described in detail, a'portion'of a tying attachment'is also described, but for a complete description of its structure and operation reference is made to the aforesaid British patent.

Each finger 14 is mounted on a stationary transversely extending plate 22 mounted on top of column 11 by means of a pivot 23. Shaft 24- extends transversely of the column and carries a drum cam 26 having a groove 27 thereon. Cam follower 28 in the form of a roller located below cam 26 rides in groove 27 and is fixed on the upper surface of a transversely reciprocating bar 29 sliding on top of plate 22 and held in position by means of guide 31. Thus bar 29 reciprocates as shaft 24 revolves. Bar '29 is connected to each finger 14 intermediate the ends thereof and hence causes oscillation of said fingers. Adjustment screws 32 in blocks 33 mounted on plate 22 limit the amplitude of oscillation of fingers .14. Fingers 14 have lateral grooves 34 at the outward extremities thereof on either side thus providing top and bottom wire contacting surfaces 36, 37. Gripper blocks ataaeao 38 are mounted on plate 22 on either side of finger 14 and cooperate with contacting surfaces 36, 37 to sever the wire 13 and also to grip the end 130 thereof. The shape of cam groove 27 is such that the movement of finger 14 is not continuous but on the contrary is intermittent. Hence, the finger 14 is held up against one of the gripper blocks 38 during a major portion of the cycle of the baling machine.

Another part of the tying machine is, for each slot 12, a vertical twister shaft 41 carrying a curved twisting finger 42 which rotates in a horizontal plane below the level of finger 14. Finger 42 engages end 13c held between the finger 14 and the gripper block 38 and also the end 13b of wire 13 and as it revolves twists the two ends around each other into a tie. Shaft 41 is rotated by the same drive as shaft 24 and hence the rotation of finger 42 is in timed relationship to oscillation of finger 14. Hence, after the tie has been completed, shaft 14 stops rotating and finger 14 oscillates to the opposite gripper block thereby severing the wire 13b and holding it against the gripper block until the next tie is completed for the next bale.

The guide 47 which is the subject of the invention is attached to the wire tying attachment 21 by the same pair of bolts 46 as attach one of the gripper blocks 33 to plate 22. Thus the guide 47 is formed with a flat projecting tongue 48 having at its end a pair of holes 49 which are of a diameter larger than that of bolts 40. By reason of the oversize of holes 49 the position of guide 47 may be adjusted relative to plate 22 toward and away from shaft 41. At the outward end of tongue 48 along the side edge of said tongue closest to shaft 41 guide 47 is formed with a downwardly and forwardly bent portion 51. Hence as needle 17 moves upward it contacts the curved flank 52. of portion 51 of guide 47 at some point on the surface of the curved flank 52. At what point the needle contacts guide 47 depends upon how far out of line the needle has been forced by the pressures in the column. Regardless, however, of the position of initial contact, the needle is guided as it moves upwardly by the curved flank 51 and pushed over toward the shaft 41 to the proper position shown in FIG. 1. Thus the needle is precisely located in postiion at the completion of its upward stroke and the wire 13 carried thereby is accordingly located in proper position to be contacted by gripper finger 14 and held against gripper block 38. Thus the holding of the wire in place and the forming of the tie in proper shape is insured by the use of the guide 47.

In operation, the tying attachment functions exactly as it is designed to function but by the use of guide 47 the operation is properly carried out. In other words, if there is any tendency for needle 17 to move upwardly as viewed in FIG. 1 away from proper relationship to shaft 41 the side of needle 17 upon contacting curved flank 52 is forced toward shaft 41 until, at the top of the stroke of the needle, the proper location is insured.

Adjustment may be accomplished by loosening bolts 46 43;. and moving guide 47 to newly adjusted position and then retightening the bolts 46, this operation being possible by reason of the relatively large diameter of holes 49 relative to bolts 40. Such adjustment is readily made even in the field and requires no time. As a matter of fact, the original installation of guide 47 is likewise readily accomplished merely by removing the original bolts holding gripper block 38 in place and replacing them with slightly longer bolts accommodating the thickness of tongue 48.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail, by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a baler wire tying attachment of the type having a wire carrying needle, means for moving said needle through a baling column to projected position and removing said needle to original position, a first and a second gripper block, said blocks spaced apart approximately equally on either side of said needle in its projected position in the normal operation of said tying attachment, a gripper finger pivotally mounted between said blocks, means for pivoting said gripper finger alternately against said first or said second block in timed relation to movement of said needle, a twister shaft in proximity to said second block having a twister finger, and means for turning said twister shaft in timed relation to movement of said needle, the improvement which comprises a needle guide and mounting means mounting said needle guide on said first block, said needle guide having a tongue cooperating with said last named means and projecting from said first block generally parallel to a plane midway between said blocks at about the elevation of the top of said first block and then curving away in a flank curving from said second block and said plane and also curving away from said elevation of the top of said first block in a direction toward said original position of said needle, whereby when said needle moves from original position toward projected position displaced from said plane toward said first block, said needle contacts said flank and is guided back into said plane.

2. The improvement of claim 1, which further comprises adjustment means between said needle guide and said mounting means, whereby said needle guide can be adjustably held in position relative to said plane.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,512,532 Grieves Oct. 21, 1924 2,940,382 Hollyday June 14, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 760,666 Great Britain Nov. 7, 1956 

1. IN A BALER WIRE TYING ATTACHMENT OF THE TYPE HAVING A WIRE CARRYING NEEDLE, MEANS FOR MOVING SAID NEEDLE THROUGH A BALING COLUMN TO PROJECTED POSITION AND REMOVING SAID NEEDLE TO ORIGINAL POSITION, A FIRST AND A SECOND GRIPPER BLOCK, SAID BLOCKS SPACED APART APPROXIMATELY EQUALLY ON EITHER SIDE OF SAID NEEDLE IN ITS PROJECTED POSITION IN THE NORMAL OPERATION OF SAID TYING ATTACHMENT, A GRIPPER FINGER PIVOTALLY MOUNTED BETWEEN SAID BLOCKS, MEANS FOR PIVOTING SAID GRIPPER FINGER ALTERNATELY AGAINST SAID FIRST OR SAID SECOND BLOCK IN TIMED RELATION TO MOVEMENT OF SAID NEEDLE, A TWISTER SHAFT IN PROXIMITY TO SAID SECOND BLOCK HAVING A TWISTER FINGER, AND MEANS FOR TURNING SAID TWISTER SHAFT IN TIMED RELATION TO MOVEMENT OF SAID NEEDLE, THE IMPROVEMENT WHICH COMPRISES A NEEDLE GUIDE AND MOUNTING MEANS MOUNTING SAID NEEDLE GUIDE ON SAID FIRST BLOCK, SAID NEEDLE GUIDE HAVING A TONGUE COOPERATING WITH SAID LAST NAMED MEANS AND PROJECTING FROM SAID FIRST BLOCK GENERALLY PARALLEL TO A PLANE MIDWAY BETWEEN SAID BLOCKS AT ABOUT THE ELEVATION OF THE TOP OF SAID FIRST BLOCK AND THEN CURVING AWAY IN A FLANK CURVING FROM SAID SECOND BLOCK AND SAID PLANE AND ALSO CURVING AWAY FROM SAID ELEVATION OF THE TOP OF SAID FIRST BLOCK IN A DIRECTION TOWARD SAID ORIGINAL POSITION OF SAID NEEDLE, WHEREBY WHEN SAID NEEDLE MOVES FROM ORIGINAL POSITION TOWARD PROJECTED POSITION DISPLACED FROM SAID PLANE TOWARD SAID FIRST BLOCK, SAID NEEDLE CONTACTS SAID FLANK AND IS GUIDED BACK INTO SAID PLANE. 